The Assembly at Perry

As we start 2023 with 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, let us understand what the Word of God says about Fasting. Many in the church are ignorant of what it truly means too Fast and Pray. 

We are Blessed and Highly Favored

We come to the conclusion one of the most powerful letters written. I pray this teaching has been a blessing to you all. 

Have you ever argued with other Christians about whether it is okay for Christians to smoke or drink alcohol? These and many other issues have traditionally been referred to as “disputable matters”, matters about which different sects of Christians disagree because scripture does not speak decisively about them.

Christians are to obey the law of the land, respect the civil authorities, and pay their taxes whether we agree with the authorities or not. If secular rulers violated their own authority, it is the duty of the Christian to testify to the truth, but only by using peaceful means.

So the question for Romans 12 through 16 is, how should those who have been justified by grace respond in thier every day lives?

Psalm 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Don't be a selfish complainer, be a Foundation Shaker!

Today we will finish a lengthy but important part of Romans. 

Romans chapter 10 ended with the sobering charge that Israel is a disobedient and obstinate people. Now we have God‘s sovereign choice of Israel on the one hand and Israel’s obstinance on the other. Will God give up on Israel? Will He find a way, despite their disobedience, to preserve and enact His purpose? These are the questions Paul addresses in Romans chapter 11.

Paul points out that the responsibility is that of the church to spread the Word to everyone.

We have all experienced times when our hearts feel like they are breaking. Death of a loved one, tragedy with a family member, a divorce, or an accident that leaves a friend in a bad health position. Situations like these make our heart heavy and our spirits downcast. The apostle Paul was going through such a time.

Paul pictures God, the great Potter, as facing a seeming conflict of interest. On the one hand, He wishes to show His wrath and exhibit His power in punishing sin. But on the other hand, He desires to bear patiently with vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.

Paul presents a discussion that contains one of the most profound mysteries of the world; Israel must understand God is sovereign.

Romans chapter 9 is one of the key passages in the whole Bible on the sovereignty of God.

As Paul began in Romans 8 with "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ," he finish's with why.....we are Super Victors in Him!  

The greatest shame and suffering we may endure for Christ here on earth will be nothing compared to the joy of when He calls us up and publicly acknowledges us before the host of heaven.

We continue in our study of the book of Romans and pick up in chapter 8 verse 12. In this section the apostle Paul moves from instruction to exhortation, from what God has accomplished to the importance of our response. He outlines the needed response of all believers; obligation .

As we go into chapter 8, the subject of Holy Living continues. How is the Christian enabled to live a holy life? We must understand the great triumph of the Christian faith is total deliverance from condemnation.

We continue our expository teaching of the book of Romans. Last week we started chapter 7 and we will finish it up this week as we see that we all struggle with 3 natures and 4 laws. Hope you enjoy. 

As we move on to chapter 7, the subject of chapter 6 is continued. The apostle Paul shows how by death the Christian is freed from the law.

Last week we started with Romans chapter 5:20 where Paul says “ where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” The question asked is, does teaching the gospel, permit or even encourage sinful living? The answer was found in Romans 6:2, certainly not! But Paul does not stop there. As we discussed he will answer this question throughout Romans six centering around three key words: Know, Reckon, and...

Remember, Paul is writing a letter to a church he has not been to. However, Paul has traveled quite extensively preaching this same message, therefore he already knows the questions and objections that many will have. Question: If the gospel teaches that man’s sin provides for an even greater display of God’s grace, then doesn’t it suggest that we should continue in sin, that grace may be all the...

The rest of chapter 5 serves as a bridge between the first part of the letter and the next three chapters. It is linked with the first part by picking up the subjects of condemnation through Adam and justification through Christ, and by showing that the work of Christ far outweighs in blessing what the work of Adam did in misery and loss.

The apostle Paul carries his case for justification forward another step by taking up the question: What are the Blessings of Justification in the believers life?  He answers his own question as he details seven major blessings every believer possess.